posted 04 April 2000 07:12 AM
I have to agree with those of you who think that Julian Tharpe and Maurice Anderson should be in the HOF. I often think that Sonny Garrish's accomplishments have gone highly overlooked. Has he ever been nominated? Sonny has recorded on many hits. Many while he was with Bill Anderson, then later with numerous people. He is an all-around great player, and a super person. I have absolutely no political interest in this matter at all. I would just like to see some really deserving individuals be honored for their achievements, and their contributions to steel gtr and the music world.

------------------Bob Hempker

Richard SinklerMember

Posts: 2896From: Fremont, CaliforniaRegistered: AUG 98

posted 04 April 2000 07:27 AM
I agree. Sonny has been one of my favorites for years. He is a one of a kind picker that should be in the HOF.

posted 04 April 2000 09:49 AM
I agree also, Reece and Sonney Garrish, areboth players that should have been in there. Sonney's unique tone and vibrato are alwaysfun to listen to, man is his pitch good! Greg

Terry WoodMember

Posts: 1205From: Marshfield, MORegistered: MAR 2000

posted 04 April 2000 09:28 PM
Hi Forum Members,

If you will notice when I first posted about Julian Tharpe for the SGHOF, you 'll see I mentioned Reece, Sonny Garrish, Bobby Koefer, Jimmy Crawford, Bobby Black for the SGHOF.

I goofed! Give myself three head konks, it should have also included Chuck Wright and Norm Hamlett too.

No doubt they'll all make it someday in the SGHOF, lets just hope they don't step on any toes along the way.

Seriously, I've been a Sonny Garrish fan since I first heard and purchased his "Country Soul Stew," album in 1977.

Terry Wood

Gregg GalbraithMember

Posts: 314From: Goodlettsville,Tn.,USARegistered: AUG 98

posted 04 April 2000 11:25 PM
I have counted Sonny Garrish among my closest friends since the early 1970s. He got me the job with Bill Anderson,(back when it was the best road job in Nashville), and taught me how to be a "team player." Later, when Bill fired me, and Sonny had left the band to do studio work, Sonny saved me from having to go back on the road by hiring me on several session accounts on which he was leader.

He was definitely in my corner when I was desparately in need of a friend. He even stood up for me on the day Theresa and I got married.

Although I'll never be able to repay him for all the kindness he's shown me over the years, I can at least take a few minutes here to "sing his praises' and possibly explain why he will probably never be in the SGHOF.

In the late 70s----early 80s, Sonny found a way to make the steel guitar blend in with the music of the day, and darned-near single-handedly saved it from certain death, at least on the country charts. He dominated the Billboard and Cashbox charts of that era, much like Paul Franklin does today. And the main reason that Sonny was able to adapt to the music of the day is the fact that he does not view the steel guitar as an instrument unto itself, but rather as a vehicle through which he can express his musical feelings and bare his soul.

In the 20+ years that I have attended Scotty's convention in St. Louis, I don't recall EVER having heard Sonny's name mentioned on stage. Strange? Probably not, because he doesn't seem to have any desire to be a part of the community that reveres a single instrument above the importance of the music itself.

I hope I haven't been too liberal in expressing someone's philosophy on life and music without his knowledge, but I think I have a pretty good "take" on the order of Sonny's priorities-----Christ,family,music,steel guitar,Am-Way!---just kidding about"family!"

Seriously though, Sonny is one of the most sincere and talanted people you could EVER hope to consider as a friend.

Gregg

Johnny CoxMember

Posts: 935From: The great state of TexasRegistered:

posted 05 April 2000 12:22 AM
Gregg nailed it on the head. Sonny has his priorities in the right order.

posted 05 April 2000 06:04 PM
A lady named Carla Rugg recorded a song that I wrote for her called "Who says a woman can't be strong".Sonny Garrish played steel on it and nailed it in one take.He played the song with his instrument instead of just playing his instrument.(the song has made me a hundredair.) 8-)All the best,-Andy

Greg DerksenMember

Posts: 329From: Calgary, AB. CanadaRegistered: AUG 99

posted 05 April 2000 06:16 PM
Erik , check out David Ball , Kenny Chesney,and the Tim Mcgraw record with "Just to seeyou smile" on it , there's a lot of playingthat really sits in the Mix. The Kenny Chesney record is called " I willStand". The David Ball record is the one with"Thinken Problem" on it.If you like Traditional Country thats a great record.

From New Country to traditional Countryhe seems to really find the sweet spot! Greg

John MacyMember

Posts: 2290From: Denver, CO USARegistered:

posted 05 April 2000 08:37 PM
My first master session in Nashville in the early 80's was a Gary Morris record that I shared the steel duties with Sonny on. I gotta tell you, that was one of the highest moments of my life--to see my name with Sonny's on the credits.

I am such a fan.

PS--GREAT post, Gregg!

[This message was edited by John Macy on 05 April 2000 at 08:39 PM.]

erikMember

Posts: 1793From: Registered: MAR 2000

posted 06 April 2000 02:52 AM
to Greg Derksen:

I have heard Thinkin' Problem by David Ball. I can't hear the steel in my head but i do remember i immediately linked this song with Drinkin' Thing by Gary Stewart.

to John Macy: Would that Gary Morris song be Velvet Chains? I have that 45 burried in a box somewhere. As i recall it was the only ‘country’ song released by Mr. Morris.

erikMember

Posts: 1793From: Registered: MAR 2000

posted 06 April 2000 02:55 AM
Did Sonny Garrish do Why Not Me by The Judds? Or was that Buddy Emmons? I love that steel work, in fact i have it on my turntable right now.

John MacyMember

Posts: 2290From: Denver, CO USARegistered:

posted 06 April 2000 08:31 AM
I did play on Velvet Chains, and you're right, he was way more pop than country, as was a lot of stuff then.

And that was Sonny on the Judd's stuff.

dblnkunregistered

Posts: 2290From: Denver, CO USARegistered:

posted 06 April 2000 03:53 PM
Erik,

I don't know where or if you could find it, but "The 'Po Boys Pick Again" album has some of his best work: Sunny-Gem, Up and Atom, Sweet Lorena. Also, I like a lot of the older Bill Anderson things: Get While the Gettin's Good, Wild Weekend, etc. I liked the things he played on Eddie Rabbit's recordings, also. I just can't understand how a guy like this has been overlooked.

------------------Bob Hempker

Richard SinklerMember

Posts: 2896From: Fremont, CaliforniaRegistered: AUG 98

posted 06 April 2000 05:44 PM
If you can find them, the old Red Steagall albums. Sara Evans "No Place That Far" album.

posted 07 April 2000 06:03 AM
Sonny's playing is one that has brought us into the year 2000, this guy is incredible! His style and tone is the best! I really like how he plays all over most of the songs, and everything fits like a glove, some of his licks really stand out and sometimes you can just hear a little chime in the backgound that you do not expect and it will twist your ear! THAT'S PERFECTION!!

Larry RMember

Posts: 553From: Navasota, Tx.Registered: SEP 99

posted 07 April 2000 06:39 AM
Eric, Sonny is on Tracy Lawrences' latest cut "Lessons Learned". Tasteful licks with no overkill. You'll also find him on Doug Supernaw's album "Red and Rio Grande".

Scott HiestandMember

Posts: 75From: Ellington, CTRegistered: APR 2000

posted 07 April 2000 07:12 PM
I got turned on to Sonny on Aarron Tippin's "Read Between The Lines". Tasty....melodic...just plain NICE steel!

Scott H.

Peter DollardMember

Posts: 705From: Registered:

posted 07 April 2000 10:43 PM
Sunny played on one of the seminal urban cowboy songs of the seventies, "Two Dollars In The Juke Box" by the late Eddie Rabbit. In fact on this very Forum Paul Franklin used it as an example of how the meter for fills had changed in the late seventies and that Sonny was able to adapt the steel guitar to it and help it survive. Pete.

Bill CunninghamMember

Posts: 381From: Cumming, Ga. USARegistered: AUG 98

posted 09 April 2000 07:49 AM
For me, the mid 70's album by Eddie Rabbit that (don't remember the title) has I Can't Help Myself and Drinkin' My Baby Right Out Of My Arms is an excellent example of Sonny's unique style. Gotta hook up that ancient device that plays large round black discs and listen to that one again!